Food processor system

ABSTRACT

A base for a food processing system is provided including a housing configured to couple with a complementary container. The housing includes a bottom surface. At least one suction device is mounted to the bottom surface and is configured to adhere the base to an adjacent surface. At least one release mechanism is mounted to mounted generally flush with an outer surface of the housing. The at least one release mechanism is operably coupled to at least one suction device and is movable between a first position and a second position to release the at least one suction device from the adjacent surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 62/129,493 filed Mar. 6, 2015, the entire contentsof which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

This application is directed to a food processor, and more particularly,to a food processor having one or more unique features designed forenhancing the safety, ease of use, and/or versatility of the foodprocessor.

Blenders are commonly used to process a plurality of different foodproducts, including liquids, solids, semi-solids, gels and the like. Itis well-known that blenders are useful devices for blending, cutting,and dicing food products in a wide variety of commercial settings,including home kitchen use professional restaurant or food services use,and large-scale industrial use. They offer a convenient alternative tochopping or dicing by hand, and often come with a range of operationalsettings and modes adapted to provide specific types or amounts of foodprocessing, e.g., as catered to particular food products.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the invention, a base for a foodprocessing system is provided including a housing configured to couplewith a complementary container. The housing includes a bottom surface.At least one suction device is mounted to the bottom surface and isconfigured to adhere the base to an adjacent surface. At least onerelease mechanism is mounted to mounted generally flush with an outersurface of the housing. The at least one release mechanism is operablycoupled to at least one suction device and is movable between a firstposition and a second position to release the at least one suctiondevice from the adjacent surface.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments the release mechanism is configuredto move vertically between the first position and the second position.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments the release mechanism is configuredto move between the first position and the second position in responseto application of a force by a user of the food processing system.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments the release mechanism includes aplanar surface arranged approximately parallel to the bottom surface.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments the at least one release mechanismincludes a first release mechanism and a second release mechanismdisposed at opposing side of the base.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments the first release mechanism and thesecond release mechanism are independently operable.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments the at least one suction deviceincludes a front right suction device, a back right suction device, afront left suction device, a back left. suction device.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments the first release mechanism isoperably coupled to the front right suction device and the back rightsuction device. Similarly, the second release mechanism is operablycoupled to the front left suction device and the back left suctiondevice.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments the at least one suction device is asuction cup.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments the container configured to coupleto the base further includes a rotatable assembly driven about an axis.The rotatable blade assembly is positioned adjacent a bottom of thecontainer.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments the container configured to coupleto the base further includes a rotatable assembly driven about an axis.The rotatable blade assembly is positioned adjacent a top of thecontainer.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a method of releasinga base of a food processing system from an adjacent surface is providedincluding actuating a first release mechanism to initiate release of atleast one suction device operably coupled thereto. The first releasemechanism is arranged generally flush with a first side of a housing ofthe base. A second release mechanism is actuated to initiate release ofat least one suction device operably coupled thereto. The second releasemechanism is arranged generally flush with a second side of the housingof the base. The base is separated from the adjacent surface.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments the first release mechanism and thesecond release mechanism are actuated simultaneously.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments the first release mechanism and thesecond release mechanism are actuated independently.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments at least one of the first releasemechanism and the second release mechanism is actuated by moving therelease mechanism vertically between a first position and a secondposition.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments the at least one suction deviceincludes a front right suction device, a back right suction device, afront left suction device, a back left. suction device.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments actuation of the first releasemechanism is configured to initiate release of the front right suctiondevice and the back right suction device. Similarly, actuation of thesecond release mechanism is configured to initiate release of the frontleft suction device and the back left suction device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of thespecification embodies several aspects of the present invention and,together with the description, serves to explain the principles of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a food processing system;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a container configured for use witha food processing system;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a base of a food processing systemaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a base of a food processing system according toan embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a base of a food processing system accordingto an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of another base of a food processingsystem according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is another bottom perspective view of a base of a food processingsystem according to an embodiment of the invention.

The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, togetherwith advantages and features, by way of example with reference to thedrawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates view of an example of a food processing system 20according to an embodiment of the present invention. The food processingsystem 20 includes a container 22 adapted (e.g. sized and dimensioned)to receive one or more food products therein to be processed. Ingeneral, the food processing system 20 can be adapted to perform anyfood processing or blending including as non-limiting examples, dicing,chopping, cutting, slicing, mixing, blending, stirring, crushing, or thelike. The container 22 generally includes a top 24, a bottom 26, and oneor more walls 28 extending there between to define an interior chamber30 within which food products are placed and processed. As best shown inthe embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the top 24 of the container 22includes an opening 32 that provides access for the one or more fooditems into the chamber 30. The bottom 26 is generally closed such thatfood products contained within the chamber are unable to escape thechamber 30 there through.

A rotatable blade assembly 40 is operably coupled to the chamber 30 tofacilitate processing and/or the blending of food products. In oneembodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the container 22 is a conventionalcontainer wherein the rotatable blade assembly 40 is integrally formedwith or configured to mount to the bottom 26 of the container 22. Insuch embodiments, a lid 42 is configured to attach to the top 24 of thecontainer 22 prior to operation of the food processing system. The lid42 may simply press-fit into the opening 32, or alternatively, may lockto the container 22. In another embodiment, the food processing system20 is a personal blender system such that the rotatable blade assembly40 is configured to selectively couple to the top 24 of the container22.

In addition to the container 22, the food processing system 20 alsoincludes a base 50 configured (e.g. sized, shaped, and arranged) toreceive and couple with the container 22. The base 50 includes a housing52 within which a motorized unit (not shown) and at least one controller(not shown) are located. The base 50 is adapted to couple with thecontainer 22 such that when the container 22 is installed thereon, themotorized unit and the rotatable blade assembly 40 are mechanicallycoupled. As a result, the motorized unit can be adapted to driverotation of the rotatable blade assembly 40 about an axis to perform oneor more food processing and/or blending operations when one or morebuttons 56 of a user interface 54 are actuated.

Depending on the type of container 22 being used, aspects of the presentinvention are directed to a food processor system 20 including acontainer 22 that is slidably or rotatably attached to the base 50. Morespecifically, the container 22 is configured to slidably or rotatablyconnect to the base 50 in a direction other than the direction ofdownward movement of the container 22 onto the base 50. In oneembodiment, the sliding and/or rotational movement of the container 22relative to the base 50 is in a direction that is substantiallyperpendicular to the downward movement of the container 22 onto the base50. The container 22 may additionally be locked to the base 50.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, the base 50 is illustrated in more detail.The base 50 includes a bottom surface 60 having one or more suctiondevices 62, such as suctions cups for example, mounted to and extendingdownwardly therefrom. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, thebottom surface 60 includes front and back left suction devices 62 a, 62b and right suction devices 62 c, 62 d, respectively. The suctiondevices 62 are configured to adhere to a working surface, such as acounter top, particularly during operation of the food processing system20. Utilizing four substantially identical suction devices providesincreased stability to the base 50.

The bottom surface 60 additionally includes at least one releasemechanism 64, such as a paddle or latch for example. The at least onerelease mechanism 64 generally includes a first surface 66, arrangedsubstantially parallel to bottom surface 60 and may also include aflange 68 extending generally parallel to the first surface 66 at anedge thereof. The flange 68 is arranged generally flush with a portionof the base 50, for example an outer surface of the housing 52. As aresult, the release mechanism 64 blends into and does not extend beyondthe base 50, thereby improving the overall aesthetic appearance thereof.A grip or other feature configured to enhance operation by a user may beformed in surface 66. Each release mechanism 64 is operably coupled toone or more of the suction devices 62. In one embodiment, the bottom 60includes a first release mechanism 64 a and a second release mechanism62 b disposed on opposing sides of base 50 (see FIG. 5). The at leastone release mechanism 64 is positioned vertically above the plurality ofsuction devices 62 and includes a surface 66 arranged generally parallelto the bottom surface 60. The first release mechanism 64 a may becoupled to the front and back left suction devices 62 a, 62 b and thesecond release mechanism 64 b may be coupled to the front and back rightsuction devices 62 c, 62 d, respectively.

Each release mechanism 64 is movable between a first normal position anda second, actuated position. The release mechanism 64 is configured tomove between the first and second position in response to application ofa force, for example a vertical force, applied by a user. Once the forceis removed, the release mechanism 64 is configured to return to thefirst position via gravity or a biasing mechanism (not shown). Inembodiments having two or more release mechanisms 64, the plurality ofrelease mechanisms 64 may be operated independently, or alternatively,may be operated simultaneously.

In one embodiment, a coupling formed between one of the plurality ofsuction devices 62 and a respective release mechanism 64, includes apost 68 extending from the release mechanism 64 and connected to anupper surface 70 of the suction device 62 (best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7).The suction device 62 may include a loop or other feature 72 arrangedadjacent an outer periphery thereof, to which the post 68 attaches. Thecoupling illustrated and described herein is intended as an example, andit should be understood that other couplings are within the scope of theinvention.

Actuation of a release mechanism 64 is configured to initiate therelease of the one or more suction devices 62 coupled thereto from theadjacent working surface. As a release mechanism 64 is moved to thesecond position, an upward force is transmitted to the suction device 62via the post 68. By applying the force towards an outer edge of thesuction device 62, the suction device 62 is “peeled” away from theworking surface, thereby breaking the vacuum seal formed there between.Accordingly, actuation of the one or more release mechanisms 64 allowsthe base 50 to easily separate from the working surface.

A food processing system 20 having at least one release mechanism 64 asdisclosed herein is easily removable from a working surface whileretaining an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

All references, including publications, patent applications, and patentscited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent asif each reference were individually and specifically indicated to beincorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of valuesherein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referringindividually to each separate value falling within the range, unlessotherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated intothe specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methodsdescribed herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwiseindicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The useof any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the inventionand does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unlessotherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construedas indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice ofthe invention.

Exemplary embodiments of this invention are described herein, includingthe best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention.Variations of those embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventorsexpect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, andthe inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than asspecifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes allmodifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in theclaims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, anycombination of the above-described elements in all possible variationsthereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicatedherein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of releasing a base of a food processingsystem from an adjacent surface, comprising: actuating a first releasemechanism to initiate release of at least one first suction deviceoperably coupled thereto, the first release mechanism being arrangedsubstantially flush with a first side of a housing of the base; applyinga vertical force to an outer periphery of said at least one firstsuction device in response to actuating said first release mechanism:actuating a second release mechanism to initiate release of at least onesecond suction device operably coupled thereto, the second releasemechanism being arranged substantially flush with a second side of thehousing of the base; applying a vertical force to an outer periphery ofsaid at least one second suction device in response to actuating saidsecond release mechanism; and separating the base from the adjacentsurface.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first releasemechanism and the second release mechanism are actuated simultaneously.3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first release mechanismand the second release mechanism are actuated independently.
 4. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first releasemechanism and the second release mechanism is actuated by moving therelease mechanism vertically between a first position and a secondposition.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least onefirst suction device includes a front right suction device and a backright suction device, and the at least one second suction deviceincludes a front left suction device and a back left suction device. 6.The base according to claim 5, wherein actuation of the first releasemechanism is configured to initiate release of the front right suctiondevice and the back right suction device, and actuation of the secondrelease mechanism is configured to initiate release of the front leftsuction device and the back left suction device.